Accountability as a virtue in medicine: from theory to practice

John R Peteet; Charlotte V O Witvliet; Gerrit Glas; Benjamin W Frush

doi:10.1186/s13010-023-00129-5

Accountability as a virtue in medicine: from theory to practice

Philos Ethics Humanit Med. 2023 Mar 22;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s13010-023-00129-5.

Authors

John R Peteet¹, Charlotte V O Witvliet², Gerrit Glas³, Benjamin W Frush⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
² Psychology Department, Hope College, Holland, MI, USA.
³ Faculty of Humanities, Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit, Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. glasg@xs4all.nl.
⁴ Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt Medical School, Nashville, USA.

Abstract

Accountability is a norm basic to several aspects of medical practice. We explore here the benefits of a more explicit focus on the virtue of accountability, which as distinct from the state of being held accountable, entails both welcoming responsibility to others and welcoming input from others. Practicing accountably can limit moral distress caused by institutional pressures on the doctor patient relationship. Fostering a mindset that is welcoming rather than resistant to feedback is critical to enhancing a culture of learning. Analysis of failures of accountable practice offers opportunities for improving the delivery of clinical care.

Keywords: Accountability; Accountability as virtue; Healthcare delivery; Medical education; Professionalism; Virtue.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Physician-Patient Relations*
Social Responsibility
Virtues*